See also: much-what and much what

English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

much +‎ what

Pronunciation edit

Adverb edit

muchwhat (not comparable)

  1. (obsolete) Nearly, almost; much.
    • 1665, Joseph Glanvill, chapter 24, in Scepsis Scientifica:
      . . . muchwhat after the same manner as in the first imaginant.
    • 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], “Introduction”, in An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. [], London: [] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, [], →OCLC:
      If we will disbelieve every thing, because we cannot know all things, we shall do muchwhat as wisely as he who would not use his legs because he had no wings to fly.
    • 1922 February, James Joyce, “[Episode 14]”, in Ulysses, Paris: Shakespeare and Company, [], →OCLC:
      But the braggart boaster cried that an old Nobodaddy was in his cups it was muchwhat indifferent and he would not lag behind his lead.

Noun edit

muchwhat (uncountable)

  1. (obsolete) Many matters.[1]

Synonyms edit

References edit

  1. ^ Oxford English Dictionary, 3rd ed., 2005.